Instant Analysis: Raiders fall to the Rams, 33-13

Instant Analysis: Raiders fall to the Rams, 33-13

Jon Gruden’s first game back in the NFL was exhilarating. In the first half, the Oakland Coliseum felt like a zoo as the Raiders took an early lead. But in the second half, the Rams pulled away as the Raiders struggled on offense. They outscored the Raiders 23-0 in the second half.

Here is our instant analysis of the game on Monday Night.

Play of the Game – Marshawn Lynch’s 10-yard TD run

Game Balls

Tight end Lee Smith was forced into action after long snapper Andrew DePaola suffered a significant knee injury. Relacing a long-snapper mid-game is one of the toughest things to do in the NFL, but Smith was more than adequate in a reserve role.

Speaking of tight ends, Jared Cook had himself a day. Cook recorded his seventh career game with at least 100 receiving yards. Cook finished the game with nine receptions for 181 yards, the most of his career. His best play of the game came before half-time, where he caught a pass well short of the first down, but ran over multiple defenders to give the Raiders a new set of downs. It was the best game of Cook’s career.

Key Stat: 145 Penalty Yards

Penalties continue to be a yearly problem for the Raiders. In Week 1, the Raiders had 11 penalties for 155 yards. That is unacceptable. If the team continues to be this sloppy on both sides of the ball, they will struggle to win many games this season.

Believe that the Raiders’ 145 first-half penalty yards is the most by a pretty significant margin going back through 2001, which is where ESPN’s penalty data ends. Previous high was 119.

Quick Takes

This wasn’t a pretty performance by Derek Carr. Most of his yards came after the catch and his three interceptions were brutal. He also threw a ball away on a third down in the fourth quarter without being pressured. After a solid first quarter, Carr struggled mightily for the rest of the game. It was one of the worst games of his career.

The Raiders seem intent on rotating running backs. Throughout the game, Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin rotated series while Jalen Richard handled most of the passing down work. Lynch led the running backs in carries with 11, but it doesn’t appear that a workhorse will appear in this backfield. Expect this to remain a committee backfield.

After Jon Gruden pumped up Amari Cooper all offseason, he was a no-show in the team’s first regular season game. Cooper caught just one pass for nine yards and was a non-factor in the passing game. In order for this offense to work, Cooper needs to be involved more frequently.

Kudos to kicker Mike Nugent, who made both of his field goals despite having to work with a backup long snapper. Nugent isn’t spectacular by any means, but he is consistent and reliable. That’s exactly what the Raiders need from the kicker position.

In the second half, the Raiders’ defense wore down and could do nothing to stop the Rams’ offense. They were able to run the ball at will. Part of me wonders if having the oldest roster in the NFL means that this team will have a tendency to wear down late in games. It’s something to keep an eye on going forward.

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